[Docketing: John Mackey / [undecipherable] / March 1796] [Stamp: Received from State Dep't. Nov. 24, 1894. B.P.O.401810.] Shepherds town March 7. # 15 Samuel Hodgdon Esquire Intendant General of Military Stores Philadelphia Harpers ferry March 6^th 99 Dear Sir — When in Philadelphia I lately requested an Order on Elias Langham for some Stores which may be useful here next Summer. Since that time occasions have occurred which afford a still stronger motive for the obtaining an Order for the whole in his possession — I am informed by two the most reputable Men in Shepherds Towne Abraham Shepherd Esq^r & John Kearsley Esquire that this Langham who is a most violent [underline: Democrat], has sold many of the articles of public property under his Care, that several Muskets have been distributed in the democratic crew in that part of the Country, and that he publicly avows his [strikethrough: intention to] support an Opposition to Government vi & armes — If you would forward an order for the Arms & Stores, I shall endeavour to secure them until the Arsenal be built — I should wish to have an inventory of the articles which he should account for, that the deficiencies may be early noted, and proper measures taken for the recovery of them Be pleased to inform me by the next post whether he has any tents on hand — for we shall want ten of them very shortly for the accommodation of the people employed in digging the Canal. Whatever may be your determination with respect to the whole Stores in his possession, let no time be lost in forwarding an Order for the Tints, Camp Kettles &c, for the season is now arrived when action is necessary — I have already made arrangements for [strikethrough: procuring] the Scantling, planks &c that will be wanted this summer, and have sufficient to hope that the whole business in [undecipherable: Empayo] will not only be well executed, but executed too at a very moderate Cost — My Estimates for the whole with a general report on the Scale & nature of our future Operations shall be sent forward shortly after M^r Brindley shall have arrived, with out whom I cannot attempt more than the providing of materials — you will therefore be pleased to urge the necessity of sending him forward, for there can be no use in procrastination if the business is to be done, and it cannot be commenced without him. I expect it will be our advantage to have the Canal dug by people living here. my reasons for this Opinion shall be stated in the report. The people are all employed again in their occupations and a universal tranquility prevails — I am Dear Sir, your most respectful and Obed^t Ser^t John Mackey Samuel Hodgdon Esq^r [* Let no more of the Mechanics wives receive [undecipherable] on life of their husbands work. Except John Suttenders wife — The whole of them except John Sullender, are an assemblage of complete ruffians —]